FAQ
Important dates
April 30, 2023 – Deadline to apply for graduation in June. All final grades must be received by the Office of the Registrar, and all program requirements must be completed by this date.
May 31, 2023 – Deadline to register for Convocation 2023.
June 2023 (TBD) – Convocation 2023
AU hosts convocation each year in June. The date and format will be announced this fall and shared with students via email, on social media, and posted to the convocation website. Remember to keep your contact information up to date in your myAU account to ensure you receive convocation communications.
By hosting a virtual convocation, we built on the flexibility for which AU is known allowing more of our graduates to attend and celebrate with their loved ones no matter where they were located. Since we moved to a virtual convocation, we’ve had a greater number of grads attend convocation than ever before, from places such as India, Guyana, and Qatar.
Questions regarding requirements for graduation and application status can be directed to the Office of the Registrar by emailing grad-app@athabascau.ca.
We’d sure love it if you did but we know that life is busy! Convocation is an optional activity for our graduands.
To meet privacy requirements, AU requires your consent to be included in AU's presentation of degrees. To have your name and degree announced, you must register for convocation prior to the deadline, even if you do not plan to attend the event.
Invitations to convocation are sent via email in the spring to all who have met their program requirements in the months of July 2022 through April 2023 (inclusive).
AU only announces the names of graduates who have registered for convocation and given us permission to include their names in the presentation of degrees. Graduates have the opportunity to provide proper pronunciation during registration to ensure we get it right!
Yes!
To meet privacy requirements, AU requires your consent to be included in AU's presentation of degrees. To have your name and degree announced, you must register for convocation prior to the deadline, even if you do not plan to attend the event.
Applying for graduation does not automatically register you for convocation. When registration for convocation opens, and you have successfully completed and submitted your registration form online, you will receive an email confirming your registration and responses. Remember to check your junk mail folder! You can also email the convocation team at convocation@athabascau.ca.
Not a problem! A recording of the ceremony will be posted to the convocation website. This can be shared with friends, family, and colleagues, so they can take part in your accomplishments—or host a virtual viewing party for you!
To meet privacy requirements, AU requires your consent to be included in AU's presentation of degrees. If you are unable to attend the live event but would like your name announced during the presentation of degrees, you still need to register for convocation.
During the ceremony, you can expect to hear speeches from our platform party, Honorary Doctors, Order of AU recipients, the Governor General Medal winners, and the presentation of degrees.
Whether you choose to participate in convocation or not, all eligible graduands that have applied to graduate will receive a grad box. Your grad box will be mailed to the address listed on your MyAU account, so please ensure your address is up to date.
Our grad boxes are curated each year therefore they are not ready to ship until all the fun contents arrive at AU.
If you are in the Edmonton, Alberta area, Athabasca University has teamed up with New Light photography for graduation photos. New Light will have the appropriate Athabasca University regalia available for use for photos. Please visit their website.
Most photography studios in your area that offer graduation portraits will have a standard black graduation gown and cap available for use.
Hoods and gowns are available for purchase. Visit the memorabilia page for more information.
Once your application to graduate is approved, the Office of the Registrar mails your parchment on, or shortly after, the graduation date provided in your confirmation letter.
Your name, as it is recorded on your student academic record, will be displayed on your parchment. If you have recently changed your name or would like to make changes to the name on your student file, you must contact the Office of the Registrar by completing and submitting the student change of information form and emailing Academic Records at acrec@athabascau.ca.
Parchment frames, rings, clothing, gifts, and other AU merchandise can all be found at the AU Store.
We’d be happy to help! Please reach out to our team at convocation@athabascau.ca.
Helpful links and resources:
Updated September 19, 2022 by Digital & Web Operations, University Relations (web_services@athabascau.ca)